Groups to troop to Mendiola for 3rd year of Maguindanao carnage

MANILA, Philippines - Various media and people's organizations will march to the historic Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola Bridge) on Friday to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre.

The groups will carry with them 32 mock coffins and an 11-foot "Impunity Monster" effigy from Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Don Chino Roces Bridge in Manila.

The 32 mock coffins symbolized the 32 media workers and journalists killed in the carnage.

On the other hand, the effigy represents the continuing culture of impunity in the country, the groups said.

The protesters will burn the effigy right after a short program at Don Chino Roces Bridge around 5 p.m.

They will also call on President Benigno Aquino III to make good his promise to the families of the 58 victims of the massacre, who are still seeking justice for their kin.

Earlier, the wives and mothers of the slain journalists decried the slow pace of the trial of the multiple murder case against the several members of the Ampatuan clan.

They also called on the government to double its efforts to arrest the remaining accused who are still at large.

On Nov. 23, 2009, 58 people were brutally killed allegedly by members of the Ampatuan family and their private army in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

Among the principal accused who have been detained for the incident are former Maguindanao Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his sons, ex-Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.and former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan.

Private prosecutors said 91 accused are still at large.